Pensioner stabbed in her home

Mrs Howard's car was found outside a pub

A murder inquiry has begun after a 79-year-old woman was stabbed to death in her kitchen.

Adelaide Howard's body was discovered by her husband at the couple's home near Bristol on Wednesday.

A post-mortem examination has revealed that the victim suffered multiple stab wounds and police say that the killers would have been stained with blood.

Avon and Somerset Police have now traced her car, which was stolen after the murder.

'Horrific attack'

Mrs Howard's body was left in the kitchen of her home in Winterbourne.

Mr Howard had left the house in Dragon Road at around 0730 GMT to play golf.

Police know of no motive for Mrs Howard's murder

Mrs Howard went shopping and returned on her bicycle at about 1030 GMT.

Police had asked people to be on the lookout for Mrs Howard's car.

The car was found on Friday afternoon in the driveway of the Hambrook Inn in north Bristol - about 3 miles away from the murder scene.

Police say that there is no evidence that anything else was stolen from the house and fifty officers are involved in a fingertip search of the area.

Detective Superintendent Geoff Anderson said it was an "horrific attack" and that the killers would have left the scene with blood-stained clothing.